NCDC transitioned to the nClimDiv dataset on Thursday, March 13, 2014. This was coincident with the release of the February 2014 monthly monitoring report. For details on this transition, please visit our public FTP site and our U.S. Climate Divisional Database site.

Maps and Graphics:

It should be emphasized that all of the temperature
and precipitation ranks and
values are based on preliminary data. The ranks will change when
the final data are processed, but will not be replaced on these
pages. Graphics based on final data are available on the Climate Monitoring Products
page.

For graphics covering periods other than those mentioned above or
for tables of national, regional, and statewide data from
1895-present, for January, last 3 months or other periods, please
go to the Climate At A Glance
page.

National Overview:

January temperatures were record warm
for the nation with all states warmer than their long-term
means. Fifteen states established new statewide January temperature
records. For information on temperature records during the month,
please go to NCDC's Extremes
page.

Precipitation was above average for the contiguous US. Much
wetter than average conditions occurred in the Northwest and
Northeast, with below average precipitation for parts of the
Southwest. For more information on drought during January, please
visit the U.S. Drought page.

Monthly and Seasonal Highlights:

National:

For tables of national, regional, and
statewide data from 1895-present, for January, last 3 months or
other periods, please go to the Climate At A Glance page.

January 2006 ranked as the
warmest January in the 1895 to present record. The preliminary
nationally averaged temperature was 39.5°F (4.2°C), which
was 8.5°F (4.7°C) above the long-term mean. In a typical
winter, January is colder than December by 2.4°F (1.3°C).
January 2006 was warmer than December 2005 by 6.1°F
(3.4°C).

January 2006 had above average
precipitation, nationally, ranking 29th wettest.

For the last 3 months temperature was
much above average and ranked as the 3rd warmest such period in the
1895 to present record. The preliminary nationally averaged
temperature for November-January was 39.5°F (4.2°C) which
was 3.8°F (2.1°C) above the long-term mean.

Temperature over the past 6 months
(August-January) was record warm for the nation. The
preliminary nationally averaged temperature was 52.8°F
(11.6°C) which was 2.8°F (1.6°C) above the long-term
mean.

The February 2005-January 2006
temperature was above average and ranked as the 5th warmest such
period in the 1895 to present record. The preliminary nationally
averaged temperature was 54.7°F (12.6°C) which was
1.9°F (1.1°C) above the long-term mean.

Precipitation was near average for February-January, ranking 51st wettest for the
last 12 months based on a record of 111 such periods.

Regional and Statewide:

January 2006 temperatures ranked record warm for 15 states and above or much above
average for all other contiguous states.

Alaska temperatures were
below average for January with an anomaly of -9.5°F
(-5.3°C).

January was much wetter than average for 7 states, mostly in the Northwest
and Northeast, while Arizona was much drier than average.

The 3 month period,
November-January, was record warm for 2 states and warmer or
much warmer than average for all other lower 48 states but
Washington and Oregon, which were near average.

November 2005-January 2006 was
record dry for Arizona and much drier than average for 4 additional
states in the southern Plains and Southwest. Eight states were much
wetter than average.

The past 6 months,
August-January, was record warm for 5 states and warmer or much
warmer than average for all other lower 48 states except
Washington, which was near average.

August 2005-January 2006 was
record wet for three New England states and much wetter than
average for a further 7 states. The southern Plains remained drier
than the long term mean with 3 states much drier than average.

February 2005-January 2006
was warmer or much warmer than average for much of the nation, with
record warmth for South Dakota and only 2 southeastern states near
average in the contiguous U.S.

The last 12 months had a
mixed precipitation pattern across the country. There were 24
states that were wetter or much wetter than average, including 2
record wet states in New England, and there were 11 states from
Texas to Wisconsin that were drier or much drier than average.

It should be emphasized that all of the temperature and
precipitation ranks and values
are based on preliminary data. The ranks will change when the final
data are processed, but will not be replaced on these pages.
Graphics based on final data are available on the Climate Monitoring Products
page.